There’s a lot of nostalgia for the 2000s right now. Whether it’s for the indie sleaze phase or the preppy New England aesthetic, the impact of this era is undeniable. Many current artists are attempting to recreate the sound of the 2000s — The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit — but most can’t capture the essence just right.
Brooklyn-based musician Sid Simons has perfected that early 2000s indie sound with his debut album Beneath the Brightest Smiles. There seem to be two sides to the project: reflections of fleeting youth and contentment for the present. Each track is complete with introspective lyrics backed by the rhythmic bass and drums found in the early 21st-century indie scene.
“Wendy,” the first track on the album, depicts a girl who seems to capture the intriguing, girl-next-door vibe of a female lead in a coming-of-age movie. Simons’ voice blends seamlessly with the eccentric keyboard and electric guitar.
Simons continues this light-hearted instrumental sound through the tracks “Three Days” and “Toy Gun.” He sings of heartbreak and loneliness, but the buoyant guitar riffs and snare drum make you want to dance as you listen.
The album moves into a more melancholic tone with the sixth track “The Stanley Song.” Simons’ vocals and lyrics are a major focal point of this song as he sings of guilt and shame. He opens with the lyrics: “Liquor was mine/’Til you came along/How did Mom and Dad/Get it so wrong?”
“Only Smile” also continues this mournful sound backed by a beautiful piano. As the longest track on the album, it makes listeners pause for a moment and reflect. “Only Smile” wraps your attention up in a story of peaceful regret and optimistic pain.
Simons closes the album with the woefully honest track “Please Stop Smoking Mum.” The song has minimal instruments, almost only relying on an acoustic guitar. The lyrics detail a plea from Simons to his mother to quit smoking, as the name suggests. In the chorus Simons sings: “You have a beautiful heart but it’s full with ash and poison.”
Sid Simons’ debut album Beneath the Brightest Smiles is an incredible feat for an artist at such an early stage of his career. Simons truly has a fantastic means of producing, writing and composing; everyone should make Beneath the Brightest Smiles their summertime obsession.
Featured Photo Credit: Victoria Baczynska